Fan Performance Testing and Oxygen Compatibility Assessment Results for Future Space Suit Life Support Systems

Paul, Heather L.; Jennings, Mallory A.; Vogel, Matthew

doi:10.4271/2009-01-2448

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 2 publications

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“…The ventilation subsystem provides a circulating gas loop that transports expired CO 2 and water vapor from the pressure garment through PLSS components that scrub CO 2 and remove water vapor. Figure 1 shows a simplified version of the ventilation subsystem, based on the detailed schematics described by Conger et al 6 The ventilation blower provides the motive power needed to circulate the ventilation gas through the pressure garment, CO 2 scrubber, heat exchanger, filters, valves, and quick disconnects. Ventilation gas leaving the blower flows through a heat exchanger cooled by the thermal subsystem, then enters the pressure garment.…”

Section: Ventilation Flow Requirementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design and Development of a Regenerative Blower for EVA Suit Ventilation

Izenson

Chen

Hill

et al. 2011

41st International Conference on Environmental Systems

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Ventilation subsystems in future space suits require a dedicated ventilation fan. The unique requirements for the ventilation fan-including stringent safety requirements and the ability to increase output to operate in buddy mode-combine to make a regenerative blower an attractive choice. This paper describes progress in the design, development, and testing of a regenerative blower designed to meet requirements for ventilation subsystems in future space suits. We have developed analysis methods for the blower's complex, internal flows and identified impeller geometries that enable significant improvements in blower efficiency. We verified these predictions by test, measuring aerodynamic efficiencies of 45% at operating conditions that correspond to the ventilation fan's design point. We have developed a compact motor/controller to drive the blower efficiently at low rotating speed (4500 rpm). Finally, we have assembled a low-pressure oxygen test loop to demonstrate the blower's reliability under prototypical conditions.

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Section: Ventilation Flow Requirementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design and Development of a Regenerative Blower for EVA Suit Ventilation

Izenson

Chen

Hill

et al. 2011

41st International Conference on Environmental Systems

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Regenerative Blower for EVA Suit Ventilation Fan

Izenson

Chen

Paul

2010

40th International Conference on Environmental Systems

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Portable life support systems in future space suits will include a ventilation subsystem driven by a dedicated fan. This ventilation fan must meet challenging requirements for pressure rise, flow rate, efficiency, size, safety, and reliability. This paper describes research and development that showed the feasibility of a regenerative blower that is uniquely suited to meet these requirements. We proved feasibility through component tests, blower tests, and design analysis. Based on the requirements for the Constellation Space Suit Element (CSSE) Portable Life Support System (PLSS) ventilation fan, we designed the critical elements of the blower. We measured the effects of key design parameters on blower performance using separate effects tests, and used the results of these tests to design a regenerative blower that will meet the ventilation fan requirements. We assembled a proofof-concept blower and measured its performance at sub-atmospheric pressures that simulate a PLSS ventilation loop environment. Head/flow performance and maximum efficiency point data were used to specify the design and operating conditions for the ventilation fan. We identified materials for the blower that will enhance safety for operation in a lunar environment, and produced a solid model that illustrates the final design. The proof-ofconcept blower produced the flow rate and pressure rise needed for the CSSE ventilation subsystem while running at 5400 rpm, consuming only 9 W of electric power using a non-optimized, commercial motor and controller and inefficient bearings. Scaling the test results to a complete design shows that a lightweight, compact, reliable, and low power regenerative blower can meet the performance requirements for future space suit life support systems.

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Fan Performance Testing and Oxygen Compatibility Assessment Results for Future Space Suit Life Support Systems

Cited by 2 publications

References 2 publications

Design and Development of a Regenerative Blower for EVA Suit Ventilation

Design and Development of a Regenerative Blower for EVA Suit Ventilation

Regenerative Blower for EVA Suit Ventilation Fan

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